Mechanism and method of operating on cords or threads



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'March Z4; 1925; 1,530,602 Y T. J. KELLYl MEGHANISM mw METHOD oF OPE-RATING on conn's oRfTHREADs INVENTR March 24, 1925. y ,530,602

` T. J. KELLY MECHANISM AND METHOD Ol OPERATING ON CORUS OR THREADS Filed May 16, 1923 3 SheetsSheet 5 IN VENTUR- ATTO NEY Patented Mar. 24, 1925.

fUN-rrEn stares PATEnr Aorartc-1E.

TIMOTHY J. KELLY, or Passaro, Nnw.-JnnsEYass1eNon To Bia-reunion Mints, A. con- 'PORATION or NEWannsnY.

A'LVIECil-IANISILVI ANDMETHO'D OF OPERATING" 0N CORDS ORA" Applicationled'May *16,1923. "Serial N0.' 639,277.

Twill iwf/0m it may concern.'

Beit-known that I, TIMOTHY J. KELLY, a citizen ofthe United States, residing at Passafic, inthe county of'Passa-ic and State of 5 New Jersey,=have made' certainnewfan'd useful Improvements in Mechanism and Methods oit'Operating"onCords `for Threads,ot which the following is afspeciicaitifon.

VThe invention'relatesto fa novel method and lmechanism for uniting .threads and yarns, andimore especially to sucfh a method and 3mechanism for runitin'g 'the Vstrands ort two tlireadsor `yarns in ipairs to term `a smooth fand substantially invisible juncture, preparatory to `Weaving or otherdtextile fand cordage operations.

Objects :andadvantagesf off the invention will beset forth in part heneinatter fand in part will .be obvious heretrom, or may be learned'by'practice lwith the invention, the same being realized and rattainedfby means of the instrumentalities and Ycombinations pointed out inthe appended claims.

The invention consists in the novelparts, con structi ons, arrangements, i vcon'rbina-tions and improvements herein shown land idescribed.

The accompanying drawings, referred to herein and constituting aparthereof, illustrate one embodiment ot the invention, and together with the description, Yserve to eX- pla in the principles of V'the invention.

Fig. l :is'aitop .pl'an, With ,pfarts'broken awa-y, of a mechanism embodying the `vinvention Fig'. 2 a side elevation, with soinep'arts broken away and in section, of the mecha nism shown Vin Fig. 1,' 'and Figis a fragmentary topiplan, oi' ahmeditied form ot the lcentral par-t o'tthermec'hanism shownv in Figs. l :and 2.;

Fig. et isa fregmentary top plan showing the automatic spool guard;

Figs. 5 and 62 are similar tragment'ary ele vations,-looking at Fig. fl from thelelit,but showingtlie spool :guard in different positions:

Fig. 7 is 'allfragmentarywdetail, partly in sectlon, shovvmg'one form otspool gnard;

- and Fig. '8 is 'an elevation, looking at Fig. 7

'fromv'the lett.

proved Imechanisms and methods for 'etlicently :and rapidly uni-ting theends of cords or threads to be used in Weaving fabrics, especially Jfabrics 'wherein Ispecial'features are required, such sas heavy 4and knotless :cords or threads (cord fabric for automobile ytires being' an example), and 'for expeditiouslyV and efficiently performing the Vcord `or thread un iting` operation and other operations' for the 'purpose -o-'f increasing the output of the floom or other producing machines.

In laccordance with one feature thereof, the invention' has 1n view"the/uniting oi the endsol: two cords er th'readsiwithout knots or `protliberar-loes 4or irregularities and at the same time preserving the strength, size,

"twist fandlappearanceof the cords or l'threads l atftfhe place of juncture, so asto avoid 11npairment of the fabric'.

The invention in the various aspects therelo'.t,has Wide applicationin thetextileart, Vbut it Will be described rexemplarily herein` vas being` appliedl to the winding' ot the thread of small spools upon large spools andthe related operations, and :also toith'e uniting ol? 'th-eithread on large spools to the thread ot spools on'fthe creeis and leading directly int-o l the loom.

``@ther features of the Iinvention will be ment; :and it Will be understood that the preceding statement, 'as Well `as those tollovw ing, fare yexplanatory and exemplary of the invention and not restrictive thereof.

Referring now to the details .of `the em- `.first disclosed in connection with the detailed description et f the present pretcrred embodr bodiment of the invention illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings, the machine is provided with a light but strong frame 1, composed preferably of angle iron of generally oblong form, having parallel sides and rounded ends, and preferably made endless through welding or uniting in other suitable manner. The frame is therefore light but strong and rigid, and is adaptable for use with and without legs or a similar support, so that it may either be supported on another machine, or may be supported on the floor at a suitable height thereabove and so as to be freely movable therealong. rlhe various parts of the machine are preferably detachably supported upon this frame 1 by suitable means such as clamping screws and other screws.

Referring now in detail to the devices or mechanism for clamping and tensioning the thread preparatory to untwisting, and Vto certain devices which participate in the foregoing operations and also in the thread untwisting, a support is provided carried on the frame 1 and positionable or adjustable therealong. This support comprises a transverse bar 2, resting upon the horizontallydisposed part of the frame 1, and also a similar transverse bar 3, engaging on the under side of the frame 1. Clamping screws 4 serve to clamp the bars 2 and 3 against the opposite sides of the horizontal part of frame 1 to hold the bars firmly in any desired position.

Mounted on the bar 2 is a cylindrical rod 5, extending transversely and nearly across the frame 1. A cord or thread clamping device is mounted upon the rod k5 so as to be angularly or rotatably movable thereon under spring tension to place the threads to be united Linder tension and to compensate for the varying lengths of the threads through untwisting and retwisting. As embodied, a U-shaped frame has side reaches 11, 12 and a bottom reach 13. The side reaches 11 and 12 are apertured near their bottom parts to receive the rod 5, whereby they are swingably mounted thereon. A spring 14 is coiled about the rod 5 with one end fixed thereto and the other end passing through the reach 13 of the frame 10. This mounting is for .the purpose of placing the thread clamps under tension.

Mounted upon the fraine -l0 are `two clamping devices for clan'iping, respectively` the two threads which are to be united. As embodied, there is mounted in the upper end of the frame 10 a rod 18. Upon rod 13, at one end thereof. is a circular beveled clamping member 19, and a like member 20, which are resiliently pressed together, and between which one of the threads is slipped and thereby is clamped.Y Atthe opposite end of the rod 18, within the frame 10, are two thread-clamping members 21 and 22, which may be ot like structure and operation with those already described. A spring 23 is coiled about the rod 1'8, and resilient-ly presses against the clamping members and 22, which are loose on the rod 1S, to provide `the resilient clamping action.

By the invention, a certain delimited length is established in the two threads, within which length the twist is taken out of the strands to separate them, the corresponding strands of the two threads, considered in pairs, are then tied together at different points along the delimited length, and the substantially exact amount of twist is reimparted to the delimited length, thereby restoring' it to normal or standard appearance and strength. The clamps just described establish one end of this delimited Ylength, and the bars 2 and 3 being movable or positionable along'the frame 1, provide for varying such delimited length as desired.

At the opposite end of the delimited length of the threads or cords there are provided means for holding the threads and for untwisting them to separate the strands thereof, so that they may be tied together; for storing or recording the amount of twist removed; and for restoring` the proper amount of twist after the various pairs of strands of the two threads have been united. As embodied, a housing structure is mounted on the frame 1, at the right hand end thereof in Fig. 1, comprising a Hoor and vertical ends 31 and 32. A cover 33, formed as a top and two sides, is adapted -to slide over the two ends 31 and 32 to constitute a completely closed housing.

In accordance with certain features of the invention, a full spool is carried by the untwisting and retwisting mechanism, and constitutes one of the termini of the delimited thread length A motor 37 is mounted upon the floor 30 within the casing, and the motor shaft 36 projects out through the front wall 31 of the casing` In the form shown in Figs. l and 2, the motor shaftA 36 is provided at its outer end with a disc 38, from which projects a spindle 39, upon which the spool of thread or yarn [its friction tight, the spindle 3i) being j ireferably made tapering for this purpose.

A clip 11 is provided upon, or attached to, one end of the spool 1-0, to hold the thread so as to cause it to untwist, and later to retwist, when motor 37 is ruiming and the. spool 40 is thereby rotated. 1With this form a reversing switch, either hand or automatic will be used, and may be of an)l convenient or known form, or like that rshown in application Ser. No. 160,725 of Pearson and Kelly.

In Fig. 3, on the shaft 36 of motor 37 is IVhen the threads are thus clamped, the nut 57 is at the right hand end of its travel, and the collar 64 is at the point to which the nut 57 will have advanced when the two threads are completely untwisted. To start the untwisting operation, switch 73 is thrown on by hand, which can be done by moving the lever 71, and this starts the motor 37. This rotates spool 40 and clamp 47--48 to untwist the delimited portions of the two threads, and the rotation of spool 40 keeps it in the same relative position with respect to its threads and prevents the creation of any back-twist.

As the untwisting proceeds, nut 57 travels along screw 56 and rod 58 to the left, and finally strikes the hook 65. As collar 64 is clamped on rod 62, this moves rod 52 longitudinally to the left, and by reason of the end of the rod abutting on switch lever 7l, that lever is rocked about its hinge 72, and thereby pulls on cord 74 and snaps the switch 73 and stops the motor.

This lea-vesthe strands in the delimited length of both threads entirely untwisted.

If for any reason nut 57 is permitted to run too far to the left, the rod 62 will not jam against the lever 71 for the reason that after the switch is thrown olf, due to the angular movement of the lever 71, rod 62 comes into alinement with the aperture 75 and will pass therethrough, thus preventing jamming ofk these parts. To prevent jamming of the nut 57 at the left hand end, it will run out on the reduced and unthreaded portion 61. j

Means are provided, largely as a matter of convenience, for locating the point of forming the knot in the various pairs of strands and as embodied, the mechanism is equipped to tie three knots in three cord or three stranded threads. For this purpose, three pairs of supporting bars and 86 extend across the frame 1, one resting upon and the other passing beneath the horizontal part of the frame 1, and being clamped thereagainst by screws 87. Pins 88 project upwardly from the respective plates 85 past the untwisted strands to serve as markers for the uniting point in the strands. If desired, the pins 88 may be adjustable along the plate 85 by means of series of holes 89 formed therein.

The operative takes one strand of 'one of the threads and one strand of the other thread, and cuts them by the localizing aid of the corresponding pin 88, and ties them together. The mechanism is then reversed to return the normal twist to the thread in any suitable manner, as by reversing the motor, and this may be done either by a hand-operated switch, or by an automatically operated switch of any known or suitable kind. For example, such a switch mechanism as shown in Fig. 10 of the copending application of Pearson and Kelly, Ser. N o. 460,725, filed April 12, 1921, may be employed, which serves to stop the mechanism when the normal twist has been restored to the spliced or `united thread.

In Figs. 4 to 8 are shown anvembodiment of two forms of spool guard, applied to the hereinbefore described mechanism, one form being capacitated to prevent the spool being removed from its supporting and rotating spindle, once the untwisting operation has begun until the retwisting operation is completed.

In the automatic form of spool guard, as embodied, an arm 90, which is preferably bent or elbowed, as shown in Figs. 5 and 6, is formed in the end portion of a rod 91. Rod 91 is rotatively journaled at 92, 93 and 94 on the machine frame, so that kwhen the rod is rocked, the arm will pass into and out of position in front of the spool40 when the spool is upon, and is rotated by, the spindle 39 to eect the untwisting and the retwisting, as shown in Figs. 5 and 6.

In the embodied form of operating means for the spool gua-rd lever 90, the rod 91 is provided medianly thereof with a relatively long offset portion 95, in the general form of a swingable bail, which extends substantially the whole length of thetravel of the nut 57a. This nut is the same as, or corresponds to, the nut 57 already described, and shown in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings. In the present instance, the nut 57a is provided with a wing` 96, having an operating surface 97, which is inclined outwardly and backwardly and is adapted to pass into and out of engagement with the bail portion 95 of the rod 91 thereby to swing lever 90 into and out of locking position with respect to spool 40. A spring 98 impels the rod 91 and the guard lever 90 into the position of Fig. 5, that is, the open or spool-passing position.

In the operation of the mechanism just described, it may be regarded as in the position of Figs. 4 and 5, that is, the guard lever 90 is in the open or spool-passing position, and the spool 40 has been pushed onto, and is held angularly relatively to, the spindle 39, preferably by frictional engagement therewith. When the motoris started, the wing 96 of the traveling nut 57 immediately strikes vthe bail 95, rocking it to the right from the position of Fig. 5 to that of Fig. 6, and the spool is thereby firmly locked in position upon the spindle 39.

During the untwisting operation, the nut 57a travels to the left along the screw-shaft 56, and the wing 96 of the nut, sliding along the bail 95 is continuously in sliding engagement with the bail and holds thus the lever 90 in spool-locking position. This relation maintains throughout and at the end of the untwisting operation. During the retwisting operation, .the nut 57a travels backward ly. alongl the screw shaft. 56, and. at the end ofy the retwisting operation, theV wing 96 passes jnst clear of the bail` 9.51. Spring 98 immediately rocks rod 91 and guard lever 90 from the loci-:ing position of Fig.. Glo the. open position. of Fig. 5. and. the spool may then be removed.

ln. Figs. 7 and 8, a locking latch! isshown mounted in the end of the spindle 39,. which is both: hand-operated. and springfoperated. As, embodied,y the endV of: thespindle` is slotted, and a: little bearing blocky 100. is iXed in the lower half` of the. slot by suin`- able means, such asV pins 101 and' 102.. A bent. latchlever 103 is pivotallfy mounted in thewupper part ofthe slot by suitable means, such .as a pivot pin 1041. The inner end 105 ot. the latch. 103 is upwardly and'inwardl-y inclined, and is impel-led. intoy spool. locking position by suitable means, such asa.. flat spring 106. The inner faceV of' the-outer end of the latch lever 103,. constitutes with the corresponding faceof. the outer end of the block 100' a: clamp for the thread; receiving the thread, holding it during; the imtwisting and retwisting operation, and thereafter releasing it.

When the spool isinserted', moving trom lett to right in Fig. 7,. the inner or righthand end of the spool will strike the" upper inclined surface 105 ofthe.latclrlever, and will slide over the latch. lever,.y and immediately after the spool has -passed,.the lever l will snap back-under theximpuflsionot" spring 106A to the spool-locl in position shown in Fig. 7 L By depressing t epart 105' slightly,

the thread may be passed into the bite of.

the, members 100; and 10,3' and thereby be clamped for the untwisting and retwisting operation. Vhen the spool is to -be removed, the part 105 may be. pressed' downwardly by the linger andthe thread be thereby released from the clamp, and the spool slidl oil' thereover. lt will be understood that both spool guards may be used' together or separately from each other. It desired, the thread' cli-p or holder L80. may. be employed, or any other lmown or suitable form, so lar as con cerns many 'featuresof the invention.

The invention in its broader aspects is not limitedl to the speciic mechanisms shown and described' but departures may be made therefrom within the scope ofthe accompanying claims without departing 'from the principles of the invention and without. sacrificing its chie-t advantages.

What I claim is :-u

1. A mechanism for splicing threads including inI combination means -for untwisting the strands oftwo threadsone of which is wound on a spool and means for correspondingly rotating the spool to prevent the creation o'l"` back twist in its thread.

2. A- mechanism 'for splicing threads includingr inv combination. means for untwistingv the strands ot'two threads one oli which is wound on a spooli and for retwisting the delimited length after splicing. and means for correspondingly rotating the spool to prevent the creation ot back twist, during the untwisting and tor restoring they normal twist.

8. A mechanism for splicing threadsyincluding inicombination means for untwist.- ing the strands of tworthreadsone of which is` wound on a spool, means for correspondingly rotatingthe-spool. to prevent the creation, olibaclt twist in. its thread,` and a. device for preventing the threadv unwind` ing from the spool.

4. A mechanismfor splicing threads including in combinationrmeans. for untwist'- ing thestrands of two threads one of which is wound on a spool and.T for retwistingI the delimited. length aftersplicing and means for correspondingly rotating the spool;- to prevent the creation of back twist during the retwisting. and for restoring the. normal twistr in said length and a deviceY for preventing the thread unwinding troni. the spool.

5. A mechanism. for splicing4 threads: in.-

cl'nding in combinationa pair of. clamps t'or delimiting a.. length of thread, one*y clamp beingk rotatable to untwistV the delimited length. of thread, aV clamp and a. spool hold.- er for delimiting a length of another thread, the spool holder andthe fspool thereon` being rotatable together, and meansf for' rotating; the rotatable clamp andi spool! holder lto untwist. the delimited length of thread.

6. A mechanism Ifor splicingY threads includingin combination a pair of clamps for delimiting a length ofthread, one clamp being rotatable to untwistV the delimited length of thread,- a-clamp. andi aV spool hold.- er for delimitinga length of another thread, the spool holder andthe spool thereon. being rotatable together, andi means for rotating the rotatable clamp and. spool holder lto untwist the delimited length of thread and for rotating the spool holder in the op`- posite direction to restore theV normal' twist a'lter splicing-the strands of the two threads.

7. A mechanism for splicing threads including. infcombination a pair of' clamps for delimiting a length of. thread, one clamp being rotatable -t o untwist the delimited length ofthread, a. clamp' and a spool holder for delimitingf a length oit another thread, the spool holder andthe spool: thereon being, rotatable together,y means lion rotating the rotatable clampand spool. holder to untwist the delimited lengthioi" thread, and mea-ns vfor gripping the thread at the spool.

8. A mechanism for splicing threads in clud-ingA in combination a pair of clamps for delimiting a length of thread, one. clamp being rotatable to untwist the delimited length of thread, a clamp and a spool holder for delimiting a length of another thread, the spool holder and the spool thereon being' rotatable together, means for rotating the rotatable clamp and spool holder to untwist the delimited length of thread and for rotating the spool holder in the opposite direction to restore the normal twist after splicing the strands oi Vthe two threads, and means for gripping the thread at the spool.

9. A mechanism for splicing threads including in combination a pair of clamps for delimiting a length of thread, one clamp being rotatable to untwist the delimited length of thread, a clamp and a spool holder [for delimiting a length ot another thread, the spool holder and the spool thereon be ing rotatable together, and means for rotating the rotatable cla-mp and spool holder to untwist the delimited length of thread and a thread holding clip on the spool holder.

l0. A mechanism for splicing threads including in combination a pair of clamps for del'imiting a length of thread, one clamp being rotatable to untwist the delimited length ot' thread, a clamp and a spool holder for delimiting a length of another thread, the spool holder and the spool thereon being rotatable together, vand means Jfor rotating the rotatable clamp and spool holder to untwist the delimited length of thread and for rotating the spool holder in lthe opposite direction to restore the normal twist after splicing the strands of the two threads and a thread holding clip on the spool holder.

1l. The method of splicing threads or cords one of which is wound on a spool which comprises clamping a delimited length of each cord and rotating one end of each cord and the spool therewith to untwist the strands of the delimited length and to prevent the creat-ing of back twist in thc cords.

l2. The method oii splicing threads or cords one ot which is wound on la spool which comprises clamping av delimited length ot each cord and rotating one end oit eachl cord and the spool therewith to untwist the strands of the delimited length and to prevent the creating of back twist in the cords and correspondingly rotating the spool after the splice is made to restore the normal twist to the united cord.

13. A mechanism Jfor splicing threads including in combination a cla-mp for delimiting a length of thread from aI spool, and cooperating means for holding and rotating the spool of thread at the opposite end of the delimited length to untwist the strands oit the delimited length and to prevent back twist in the thread.

lt A mechanism for splicing threads including in combination a. clamp for delimiting a length ot thread from a spool, and

cooperating means for holding and rotating the spool of thread at the o-pposite end of the delimited length to untwist the strands of the delimited length and to prevent back twist in the thread and a thread clamp on said spool holder.

l5. A mechanism for splicing threads including in combination means for untwisting the strands of two threads one of which is wound on a spool, means for correspondingly rotating the spool to prevent the creation of back twist in its thread, and means preventing the removal of the spool during the operation.

16. A mechanism for splicing threads including in combination means for untwisting the strands of two threads one ot which is wound on a spool and for retwisting the delimited length after splicing, means for correspondingly rotating the spool to prevent the creation ot back twist during the untwisting and for restoringV the normal twist, and means preventing the removal of the spool during the operation.

17. A mechanism 'for splicing threads .including in combination means for untwist ing the strands of two threads one of which is wound on a spool, means for correspondingly rotating' the spool to prevent the creation of back twist in its thread, and a device for preventing removal of the spool during the rotation thereof.

18. A mechanism for splicing threads including in combination means for untwisting the strands of two threads one. of which is wound on a spool and for retwisting the delimited length after splicing and means for correspondingly rotating the spool to prevent the creation of back twist during the retwisting and for restoring the normal twist in said length and a device for preventing the thread unwinding trom the spool, and means preventing the ren'ioval of the spool during the operation.

19. A mechanism. for splicing threads including in combination a pair ot clamps tor delimiting a length oi' thread, one clamp be.- ing rotatable to untwist the delimited length of thread, a clamp and a spool holder for delimiting a length of another thread, the spool holder and the spool thereon being rotatable together, means for rotating the rotatable clamp and spool holder to untwist the delimited length ot thread, and means preventing the removal of the spool 'during the operation.

20. A mechanism for splicing threads including in combination a pair of clamps for delimiting a length of thread, one clamp being rotatable to untwist the delimited length of thread, a clamp and a spool holder for delimiting a length oit another thread, the spool holder and the spool thereon being rotatable together, means for rotating the rotatable clamp and spool holder to nntwist the delimited length of thread and for rotating the spool holder in the opposite direction to restore the norn mail twist after splicing the strands of the two threads, and means preventing the removal of the spool during the operation.

21. A machine for splicing cord comprising an arbor to hold a spool. and having a cord-holding means thereon, aJ second arbor to hold n, second cord, means for clamping the said cords opposite said arbore,` and means for rotating said arbore simultaneously.

22. A machine for splicing cord comprising a yielding non-rotatable holder for cords, arbore to which seid cords are adapt` ed to be secured, one oi' seid nrloors being adapted to spport a spool, and means for rotating said arbore.

In testimony whereof, lI have signed my 20 name to this specicetion.

TIMOTHY J. KELLY. 

